By Emmanuel Chilemba:
The just-ended session of Parliament continues to draw mixed reactions, with observers saying the issue of absenteeism nearly overshadowed deliberations.
While commending members of Parliament (MPs) for successfully passing the K10.9 trillion national budget and six bills, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the persistent absence of some legislators undermined meaningful deliberations.
“The frequent absence of lawmakers disrupted proceedings and undermined meaningful deliberations on critical national issues. At a time when the country is facing serious economic and governance challenges, such conduct weakens public trust in Parliament as an institution.
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“We, therefore, call on members of Parliament to significantly improve their attendance [levels] and participation in future sittings to ensure that the House functions effectively and lives up to its constitutional mandate,” Kaiyatsa said.
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People’s Federation for National Peace and Development Executive Director Edward Chaka said the absence of some MPs from sittings meant some constituents were underrepresented on critical issues.
“MPs represent people, such that their participation in parliamentary deliberations symbolises the participation of their constituents. When some MPs are absent from Parliament, their constituents may not have their voice heard.
“It is, therefore, important that members of Parliament should be treating parliamentary sittings and meetings with the respect they [sittings and meetings] deserve. That is the essence of a representative democracy like ours,” Chaka said.
In a separate interview, Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye said the issue of absenteeism was one of the top priorities the House was working around the clock to address.
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However, he further attributed the occasional absence of some MPs to engagements in their respective constituencies and other official duties.
“It is important to note that the Speaker, during the meeting of members of Parliament, did raise that concern regarding the issue of absenteeism. It is now important to note that the current leadership of the House, and of course the stewardship of the Speaker, has taken deliberate steps to address this challenge.
“And we have already seen notable improvement, in terms of attendance levels, compared to the previous meeting. The Speaker and, of course, the leadership continue to engage honourable members, especially to emphasise [the importance of] their constitutional responsibilities and, of course, the expectations of the public they serve,” Mwenye said.
Lawmakers have been in session since February 13, 2026, following President Mutharika’s State of the Nation Address.
During this period, they passed the K10.9 trillion 2026-27 budget and six bills.
Recently, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Victor Musowa ruled that MPs who abscond from deliberations without formal notice forfeit allowances for that particular day.
He said this during one of the days when, after a roll call, it was established that only 71 legislators and Cabinet ministers were present, with the lest yet to get into the chamber.
“This is very saddening. the Office of the Speaker is deeply concerned with the persistent absenteeism of honourable members. Most members who are absent have not sought leave,” Musowa said.
Standing Order 41(3) empowers the august House to take action against lawmakers who miss proceedings without officially seeking leave.
